We’re calling to let you know that we successfully summited on Cayambe! One rope team reached the top at 6:30 am and the second a few minutes after 7. It was another great climb. Conditions conditions on the glacier continue to be very good.

Here’s Philip with some words on the climb:

Philip: I had really wonderful day - just spectacular. It was my first climb on a glacier, and it was just awesome. It was a good work out and when we got down we were all ready for a nap! We’re looking forward to a little touring in the Antisana Reserve before heading up for the Antisana ascent.
Here’s Sarah.

Sarah: I'm felt really good on the climb. We had beautiful weather and great guides. “Hi Mom” - I know you're probably checking this all the time; we're doing really well. And “Hi” to my wonderful husband!

Romel: We had another comfortable stay (and great food again) at Hacienda Guachala and are now exploring the Antisana Reserve. We’ll be staying in another hacienda tonight Everyone could benefit from (and enjoy!) a full day of rest today. And it’s our job to eat well and fortify ourselves!

Tomorrow we’ll be heading to Antisana base camp. It too will be an easy day, and we’ll have a nice drive across open grasslands with views of two of the other big peaks in the area – Sincholagua (15,988 ft / 4873 m) and Cotopaxi (19,347 ft / 4099 m).

Cotopaxi is still active, expelling ash and steam most of the time, and it is still closed to climbing because of the potential hazards of gasses and further eruption.

We’ll be out of range for communications for a while, but we’ll call Christmas Sunday or on Monday at the latest. Our summit day is Christmas Day.

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